The mini-14 is chambered in .223. This bullet is lighter and faster than the 7.62x39. Until about 100 yards the accuracy between the two rounds is comparable. After that the .223 is the accuracy winner, hands down. The mini-30 is the gun chambered in 7.62. They look the same, the number just reflects which caliber. The 7.62 is the heavier bullet and will have better stopping power. I'm on my phone or I would try and find a link, but google a ballistics comparison chart. In particular look at how much the 7.62x39 slows down, and drops after that 100 yard mark. If you don't plan on shooting past the 100 yard mark, go with the mini-30. Ammo will be cheaper, it will have more stopping power, and will be as accurate as you want it to be. People will argue that the mini-14 is not as accurate as the .223 round. Some people say that the 200 yard mark is the max, others say more. Kinda depends on what you're looking to do with it.

You didn't specifically ask about hunting, but if that's on your (or other readers') mind re "stopping power"...One (the 30) is potentially a viable short range (<150 yds) "deer" round--sort of a rimless .30-30--the other is not IMHO. Yes, many deer have been taken with the .223 - as they have .30 carbine and even, old days/or illegally .22 LR), etc., doesn't mean "should." The .223/14 is the choice of many a weekend warrior hunter, and I've seen all too many wounded anumals, or the mess it can do on ther ones killed. In some states, the .223 is illegal for deer.

I wouldn't actually purchase the x39 (in any platform) as my "dedicated" deer rifle (the .30-30 still trumps for the shorter ranges, and of course at longer ranges the .243, 7mm-08, .308, .270 etc, better yet. But, if all I had was a x39, and I kept my distances "reasonable," I'd not shy away from using it. From that perspective, the x39 trumps the .223 as a game-getter in terms of "ultimate" flexibility to take the larger animals more reliably...Though some will argue, probably correctly, as a "survival" weapon, the combination of more rounds (on one's person/pack) and smaller/lighter bullet of the .223 as a better for the more typical survival quarry - small game -- might be the better choice (if not in bear country!).

I've got a 581 series Mini-14 that I love, it's a handy little carbine. Mine shoots pretty well averaging in the neighborhood of 1.5-2 MOA. For me I was looking specifically for a .223 Rem and the Mini-30 was never really considered. If you're considering a Mini-30 you may want to consider using only Brass cased boxer primed ammo in it which will bump up your ammo costs, this alone would sway me to the .223.

I have had 3 of these in .223. If you want accuracy, get a cheaper AR. Dmps or something along that. They both retail close to the same. If you want stopping power...in what I'm assuming is hunting, the 7.62 punches a bigger hole with ballistics close to a 30-30. Sure, you could kill a deer with a .223, but I wouldn't. If you are fond of the mini 14 action, go to CMP and buy a M1 garand. Then you get semi auto, accuracy and knock down power

All I see in the used rack are 186 or 188 series not well thought of by the internet. The only people claiming decent accuracy seem to be 586 owners.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET 1.5 MINUTE ACCURACY ALREADY!

I had an older mini that wasn't particularly accurate but it was completely reliable. I tried different ammo but could never get more than 4 or 5 MOA. 4 to 5 MOA plus complete reliability is fine for defense in the home but I wanted more accuracy so I traded the rifle.

I wouldn't hesitate to rely on that light weight older mini for home defense but I've got other toys that are just as good for home defense and better for other applications.

So the answer is shun all the models that start with a 1, and seek a model that starts with a 5. That pretty much means a new one. I even saw a mini chambered for a .222, and I almost gave it a try, but my previous experience was too similar to Too Damn old fer this s... "s.

My wife bought me one this past Christmas,It is awesome.You can shoot the .223 and the 5.65 out of it.If you buy new,Ruger does not want you to shoot Russian ammo out of it as it will void the Warranty.I called and that is the answer I got. I use Federal ammo and I have been quite pleased so far.BTW mine has the wood stock! Cliff

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